John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Leather Top Walnut Desk
About the Item
- Creator:John Van Koert (Designer),Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 53.75 in (136.53 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:
Drexel
While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more. With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories. In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Countryside, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner DeskBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Drop Leaf Dining TableBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Van Koert for Drexel mid century walnut drop leaf dining table This table measures: 71 wide x 42 deep x 30 inches high, e...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6By John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 21.5 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 19 inches Each captains cha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mainline by Hooker Mid Century Walnut Double Pedestal Floating Top DeskBy Hooker FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILMainline by Hooker Mid Century Walnut Double Pedestal Floating Top Desk Desk measures: 50 wide x 26 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches ?All pieces of f...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Mount Airy Janus Mid Century Walnut DeskBy Mount Airy Furniture CompanyLocated in Countryside, ILMount Airy Janus mid century walnut desk This desk measures: 46 wide x 24 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches A...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Modernist Desk by John Van Koert for DrexelBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Sagaponack, NYA boldly angled modernist single pedestal desk having a distinctive raised gallery with sliding doors and a warm dark grey leather surface.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965By John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJohn Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile DeskBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Philadelphia, PAA John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk and matching chair.Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 1950's John Van Koert Drexel Vanity DeskBy John Van KoertLocated in Burbank, CAVintage Mid-Century Modern vanity desk for sale. Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel in the 1950's, and part of the Profile series. This vanity de...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- John Van Koert for Drexel - Profile - Walnut Extension Dining Table - 3 LeavesBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in St. Louis, MOJohn Van Koert for Drexel designed sculptural & sophisticated architectural form model K-42-4 dining table, designed as part of the classic Profile series. This large walnut extensio...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Profile Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’sBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in New York, NYChic, stylish, architectural mid century modern coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture as part of the classic Profile series, circa 1960’s. The table features ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood